There is disclosed a rotorcraft comprising: an array of lift devices supported at a structure; a first group of the lift devices configured to generate thrust in a first common direction; a second group of the lift devices being tilted or tiltable relative to the first group of devices so as to generate thrust in at least a second common direction; and a flight control system.

A fully articulable and adjustable swing arm assembly for a paramotor. The assembly includes a swing arm, a spherical bearing, an arm peg, and a pair of limiting disks. The arm peg extends through a central opening of the spherical bearing, and the pair of limiting disks are located proximate to the spherical bearing. The inner faces of the pair of limiting disks include a taper such that a clearance is formed between each of the opposing faces of the swing arm and a corresponding inner face of one of the limiting disks, permitting the swing arm to move in both a vertical and lateral direction. A lateral position of the swing arm assembly with respect to a frame of the paramotor is adjustable by sliding the arm peg into or out from an arm peg receiving block, which is then secured with a locking pin.

A fully articulable and adjustable swing arm assembly for a paramotor. The assembly includes a swing arm, a spherical bearing, an arm peg, and a pair of limiting disks. The arm peg extends through a central opening of the spherical bearing, and the pair of limiting disks are located proximate to the spherical bearing. The inner faces of the pair of limiting disks include a taper such that a clearance is formed between each of the opposing faces of the swing arm and a corresponding inner face of one of the limiting disks, permitting the swing arm to move in both a vertical and lateral direction. A lateral position of the swing arm assembly with respect to a frame of the paramotor is adjustable by sliding the arm peg into or out from an arm peg receiving block, which is then secured with a locking pin.

Ground vehicles that may include flight capability are described. In some examples, a vehicle frame may include a main support and at least two auxiliary supports, with the main support disposed substantially along the centerline of the vehicle, and the at least two auxiliary supports extending upward and outward from the main support. In some examples, vehicles may include an inflatable airfoil, such as a ram air parachute, that includes stiffeners on or about a leading edge of the airfoil. In some examples, vehicles may include a front wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a rear wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a ground steering mechanism connected to the front wheelbase and/or the rear wheelbase, a motor connected to a propeller, and a propeller shroud at least partially encircling the propeller.

Ground vehicles that may include flight capability are described. In some examples, a vehicle frame may include a main support and at least two auxiliary supports, with the main support disposed substantially along the centerline of the vehicle, and the at least two auxiliary supports extending upward and outward from the main support. In some examples, vehicles may include an inflatable airfoil, such as a ram air parachute, that includes stiffeners on or about a leading edge of the airfoil. In some examples, vehicles may include a front wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a rear wheelbase attached to the main support and/or auxiliary supports, a ground steering mechanism connected to the front wheelbase and/or the rear wheelbase, a motor connected to a propeller, and a propeller shroud at least partially encircling the propeller.

To provide a flying object including a lift generating member deployment device that makes it easier than before to automatically avoid collision with an obstacle. A flying object 30 includes an obstacle detecting unit 5, a control unit 6, a battery 7, a storage unit 8 that stores information transmitted from the control unit 6, a transmitting/receiving unit 9 that receives an operation signal from a controller 40 and transmits information regarding the flying object 30 to the controller 40, and others. The obstacle detecting unit 5 is to detect the altitude of the flying object 30 and outputs an altitude detection signal, which represents the detected altitude information, to the control unit 6. In addition, upon detecting an obstacle present within a predetermined distance, the obstacle detecting unit 5 outputs an obstacle detection signal to the control unit 6, detects the distance between the flying object body 31 and the obstacle, and outputs a distance detection signal, which represents the detected distance information, to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether or not to actuate left and right brake cord pulling devices 10 in accordance with the signal received from the obstacle detecting unit 5.

To provide a flying object including a lift generating member deployment device that makes it easier than before to automatically avoid collision with an obstacle. A flying object 30 includes an obstacle detecting unit 5, a control unit 6, a battery 7, a storage unit 8 that stores information transmitted from the control unit 6, a transmitting/receiving unit 9 that receives an operation signal from a controller 40 and transmits information regarding the flying object 30 to the controller 40, and others. The obstacle detecting unit 5 is to detect the altitude of the flying object 30 and outputs an altitude detection signal, which represents the detected altitude information, to the control unit 6. In addition, upon detecting an obstacle present within a predetermined distance, the obstacle detecting unit 5 outputs an obstacle detection signal to the control unit 6, detects the distance between the flying object body 31 and the obstacle, and outputs a distance detection signal, which represents the detected distance information, to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 determines whether or not to actuate left and right brake cord pulling devices 10 in accordance with the signal received from the obstacle detecting unit 5.

An aircraft including a body, a first propeller assembly, a second propeller assembly, a flight control surface, and a parachute. The first propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide vertical lift. The second propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide horizontal thrust. The flight control surface is operably coupled to the body. The parachute extends from the body and is arranged to facilitate aircraft takeoff.

An aircraft including a body, a first propeller assembly, a second propeller assembly, a flight control surface, and a parachute. The first propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide vertical lift. The second propeller assembly is coupled to the body and configured to provide horizontal thrust. The flight control surface is operably coupled to the body. The parachute extends from the body and is arranged to facilitate aircraft takeoff.

An aerial vehicle (10) has an aerial platform (12) that supports lift elements (11), an engine (14) and a fuel supply (15) and that has a coupling mechanism (16) adapted for coupling to a removable load (17). The lift elements include a soft or flexible wing (11) flexibly coupled to the aerial platform at points of suspension on opposite sides of the aerial platform whose location (A, B) relative to a longitudinal axis of the platform is such that the aerial platform and the attached load has a center of gravity (C.G.) which maintains balance of the aerial platform. An adjustment system (18) is coupled to the points of suspension and is operative for moving the points of suspension relative to the longitudinal axis of the platform when cargo is unloaded from the flying platform to preserve balance.